A kenmore 587 dishwasher not draining is a common complaint on this particular model line, which was built by Frigidaire rather than Whirlpool or LG – you can confirm this from the 587-prefix model number. Frigidaire and Electrolux dishwashers do use their own display code system, but rather than walking through specific codes here, this guide focuses purely on the symptom itself and the physical causes behind it, since that is the most reliable way to troubleshoot a 587-series unit without guessing at a code meaning.
What causes a 587-series dishwasher not to drain
- A clogged filter assembly at the bottom of the tub, blocking water from reaching the pump
- Food debris, glass fragments, or labels trapped in the sump area
- A kinked or clogged drain hose between the dishwasher and the sink drain or disposal
- A blocked garbage disposal knockout plug that was never removed at installation
- A worn or failing drain pump that can no longer clear water effectively
First checks you can do
- Remove and thoroughly rinse the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub
- Check the sump area for trapped food, glass, or labels
- Confirm the garbage disposal knockout plug was removed if the dishwasher connects to a disposal – see our dishwasher installation guide for where this plug is located
- Inspect the drain hose under the sink for kinks or a loose connection
- Run the shortest available cycle after clearing the above to see if water drains normally
When to call a technician
If the filter is clean, the hose is clear, and the knockout plug has already been removed, but the dishwasher still is not draining, the pump itself is the most likely remaining cause. Our dishwasher repair technicians are experienced with Frigidaire-built platforms sold under the Kenmore name and can test the pump directly rather than relying on guesswork. Compare this with our guide on the kenmore dishwasher f8e1 code, which covers the equivalent drain issue on Whirlpool-built 665-series units, since the mechanical causes overlap even though the display systems differ.
How to prevent it
Rinse the filter every few weeks, scrape food debris off plates before loading, and periodically check that the drain hose has not shifted or kinked, especially after any work done under the sink. These habits prevent the large majority of drain complaints on this platform.
A note on the 587-series and Kenmore’s OEM history
Kenmore does not manufacture its own dishwashers; a 587-prefix model was built for Sears/Transformco by Frigidaire, part of the Electrolux group. Confirming your model number tells you which OEM built your specific unit and which parts lineage applies when ordering a replacement pump or filter.
Why this guide skips specific error codes
Frigidaire and Electrolux dishwashers display an i-prefixed code system, and you may see something like iE, i30, or i70 on your control panel when a kenmore 587 dishwasher not draining issue occurs. We are intentionally not publishing what each specific i-code means here, since we have not been able to fully verify those meanings to the standard we hold for the rest of this site, and we would rather point you to the physical checks that solve the underlying problem than publish a code definition we cannot stand behind with confidence.
Quick summary
Whatever code your 587-series dishwasher happens to display, the filter, sump, hose, and knockout plug checks above resolve the large majority of drain complaints on this platform, and a pump replacement is really only the next step once those have all been ruled out.
If basic filter and hose checks do not resolve the issue, our experienced, independent technicians can diagnose the pump and drain path on 587-series units properly, using genuine OEM parts and backing the repair with a 30-day labor warranty. Schedule a visit at /schedule/. General Kenmore information is available at kenmore.com.
